Leeds United’s frustrating inconsistency resurfaced once again on Saturday as they could only draw away at Preston North End.
It had been a great week for Leeds United with brilliant wins against Derby County and Middlesbrough keeping them within touching distance of Sheffield United.
However, Lancashire once again proved to be an unhappy hunting ground as they failed to capitalise on their budding momentum but managed to salvage a last-gasp 1-1 draw.
The hosts set about defending deep and hitting Leeds on the counter, which is exactly how they found a deserved opener through Brad Potts after 23 minutes, which Illan Meslier should have kept out.
Leeds dominated the ball but struggled to create many good chances and wasted the few they did but PNE should have been reduced to 10 men when Ben Whiteman made an over-the-ball challenge on Jayden Bogle having been booked just five minutes earlier.
Daniel Farke was left furious and got a yellow card instead but he was clearly much angrier with under-performing side.
The feisty match continued after the break with tackles flying in from both sides. Leeds improved, with Dan James creating some good chances, and it was the winger who eventually teed up the late leveller scored by substitute Mateo Joseph.
Here’s how the players rated.
Illan Meslier – 4
Should have done much better with the opening goal, with his weak wrists being unable to prevent the tame effort from crawling over the line. Saved by James.
Jayden Bogle – 5
A bright presence down the right with some nice moments of skill and forward passing. Some nervy moments but made a couple of important interceptions and linked well with James, releasing the winger into space repeatedly.
Pascal Struijk – 5
Naturally didn’t have much to do with PNE sitting back but this time he wasn’t able to deliver when called into action. He had the chance to win the ball as Preston launched their counter attack for the goal but his challenge was weak and he was easily surpassed.
Joe Rodon – 7
Made a vital interception to prevent what would have been a Preston opener in the first two minutes and then another good recovering tackle towards the end of the first half. With Leeds repeatedly stretched, he seemed to put out a lot of fires and remained composed under pressure.
Sam Byram – 4
A hard afternoon against the energetic Potts and tricky Mads Frokjaer-Jensen, with a lot of Preston’s attacks coming down his left flank.
Ao Tanaka – 5
Should have done more to prevent the counter-attack that led to the opener as the midfielder sitting deeper but otherwise moved the ball around nicely.
Joe Rothwell – 4
Not as influential as he has been in recent matches and repeatedly overrun in the middle as he offered little resistance to Preston’s rapid counters.
Dan James – 8
After a disappointing first half where his final ball was constantly wrong, James improved significantly after the break and rescued a point.
His pace and movement was a constant threat, he teed up Bamford for a chance he should have scored and hit the bar. He was the only player who looked like he could make anything happen and did so when he teed up Joseph.
Brenden Aaronson – 4
Had good energy in the 10 position but offered little quality. He sliced Leeds’ best chance of the opening 45 horrendously wide of the goal in the only time he got into a promising position.
Willy Gnonto – 4
Other than a flash or two of skill and getting in behind once, Willy Gnonto was kept fairly quiet by Potts throughout the match and he didn’t have much influence on Leeds’ attack.
Joel Piroe – 5
Improved his general game play by creating Aaronson’s chance with an incisive through ball but his own finishing let him down. A dangerous free-kick straight into the wall and a tame effort into the goalkeeper’s arms being the worst examples.
Substitutes
Largie Ramazani – 5
Positive when he got on the ball but it wasn’t given to him nearly enough.
Patrick Bamford – 5
Brought more presence and urgency in attacking areas but really should have flicked James’ low cross into the net.
Manor Solomon – 6
Delivered a couple of threatening crosses and made Leeds’ left flank more dangerous.
Mateo Joseph – 7
A threat and found the leveller with a poked finish from James’ cross.
Ethan Ampadu – 5
Kept the ball nicely.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
